Bullies

We each took a couple of minutes yesterday and came up with a bullying character that we would base the events of the narrative around if it was our own choice. These character sketches could include anything relevant: social, emotional, physical, psychological, intellectual or something to do with the events they are involved in. The ensemble then discussed each character in regard to what implications this has for the following:
  • the other characters (bystander, victim, parents, teachers, etc)
  • the narrative
  • demonising the bully
  • victim blaming
  • empowering the bystander to act

Nick's bully character

This is a break down of the character that I discussed:
  • female
  • popular: risk taking behavior, smoking, drinking, sex
  • fashionable: clothing, jewelry, hair
  • Confident
  • Fake: two sides, the fake side in public and the real side in private
  • Bullied or abused herself: father, boyfriend?
  • Depressed
  • Low self esteem: looks for approval from others compensate for low self worth and opinion
  • Hurt but not dealing with the pain
  • Confused
  • Parallels between herself and victim
  • Doesn't use successful coping strategies instead involves herself with risk taking and self destructive behavior
I need to draw a picture or at least get a spider diagram up.
The issues and the advantages that the group fore sore and discussed with this character are as follows:
  • bullying being bullied may make it seem acceptable to bully
  • parallels between victim and bully character are good
  • problem if the bully is not liked from the start it could lead to demonising her
    • This could further lead to disengagement with the narrative
  • this bully could be superficial
  • it offers a way to showcase multiple coping strategies as she is also a victim----

Kacey's Bully- ....hey look i did it!!! - Smart girl-

bully.jpg

o.k so last night i thought was great i thought we really made progress in establishing the characteristics of the bully, victim and bystander. it interesting to see how we all had different ideas of what a bully, victim, bystander is. i think that is useful to note!!! the fact that any of them..could be anyone, and we shouldn't limit ourselves to portraying just the thugg, the nerd, quiet one and the outsider...thats too easy kids already are aware of these characters. i think it would be interesting to show it could be anyone, and i still believe the reasons for the initial bullying to happen from a non-biased event/situation that happens!!-
Cyber bullying in relation to that, should not be a new thing that is happening, but rather i thing that has happened since the invention of the net and that should be made aware of, that cyber bullying is not a new concept.